Emily Bates (20), Jamie Stanton (18) and Ally Anderson (17) got plenty of ball in the midfield, but it was often rushed and under pressure.

Did you see that? The Lions were within 12 points and Bella Ayr had the ball at the top of the goalsquare, but what looked a certain goal was thwarted by Tara Morgan who launched herself across Ayr's boot for a desperate smother that stole the show.

It was over when…The Magpies steamrolled their way to four goals in the first 13 minutes. Bernardi kicked her first inside three minutes, Hope added one two minutes later with a sublime left foot snap, Bernardi added a second after a sweeping movement from the back half and Hope completed the carnage after a strong mark and 50m penalty. The match-winning gap was opened and they never looked back.

Get online now and watch this…If the Lions had even a sniff of a comeback it was snuffed out by Meg Hutchins' incredible third-quarter goal. After receiving a free kick for out-on-the-full, Hutchins went back and split the sticks from 35m out on the right boundary line – a truly amazing set shot in wet conditions.

The ladder nowWhile the Pies moved from eighth to sixth, the story was the Lions – they blew it. Starting the round second and needing two wins to reach the Grand Final, they now need three results to go their way. They need to beat GWS then hope Collingwood upset Adelaide and Western Bulldogs beat Melbourne.

Say what?"Full credit to the 21 players who executed the game plan to perfection. That's all you can ask for as a coach."- Collingwood coach Wayne Siekman

"The opposition were better than us, we didn't bring the level of intensity and pressure required. In the key moments early in the game, they were too good for us."- Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich

What’s next?The Lions play Greater Western Sydney in Blacktown on Friday night at 7.05pm and must win to keep their Grand Final chances alive. Collingwood will look to finish its season with another upset when they host Adelaide at Olympic Park Oval on Sunday afternoon at 2.35pm (EDT).